Spring-powered cue



June 3, 1969 F. C. BALEY. JR.. ET Al- SPRING-POWERED CUE Filed Jan. 6, 1966 FIG.5

'rforney ro co' mvg/WOR Frank C. Boley, Raymond J. Boley United States Patent O 3,447,805 SPRING-POWERED CUE Frank C. Baley, Jr., 5935 Electric Ave., Berkeley, Ill., and Raymond J. Baley, 1852 Scoville Ave., Berwyn, Ill.

Filed Jan. 6, 1966, Ser. No. 519,069 Int. Cl. A63d .Z5/08 U.S. Cl. 273-69 4 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a spring-powered cue, and more particularly, to a new and improved construction for a cue of the type utilized for playing pool, billiards and other like games wherein spring means are employed for supplying a uniform and even stroke force and wherein readily adjustable means are incorporated therein for varying the magnitude of such uniform and even stroke force.

An important object of theI present invention is to provide a cue construction in such a manner that an even stroke may be imparted to the cue ball substantially automatically without the usual cue stroking action required of the player so as to relieve the player of manually regulating the length and intensity of the stroke and permits him to concentrate on the aiming of the cue with the result that greater accuracy in making shots is achieved with a minimum of effort and cue-handling skill on the part of the player.

More specically, the invention contemplates a cue construction wherein the force of the stroke may be readily Varied and the adjustable means for varying the force of the stroke is simple in design so as to be relatively inexpensive to manufacture but yet is sturdy and durable in construction.

Another object is `to incorporate shock absorber means in the spring-powered mecanism of a cue of the aforementioned type so as to mitigate the transfer of shocks and strains between the relatively movable parts of the cue with the result that the trouble-free operational life of the cue is prolonged indefinitely.

The foregoing and other important objects and desirable features inherent in and encompassed by the invention, together with many of the purposes and uses thereof, will become readily apparent from a reading of the er1- suring description in conjunction with the annexed drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal sectional view, partly in elevation and partly broken away, of a cue embodying the invention, the spring mechanism illustrated in its loaded or cocked condition;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 with the exception that the spring mechanism is illustrated in its unloaded or released condition;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along line 3 3 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse sectional View taken substantially along line 4 4 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged plan view of a section of the cue.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein like reference characters represent like elements throughout the various views, the invention is embodied in a cue, desigp of the plug nated generally by reference character 10. The cue 10 in general, comprises an elongated body portion 11 preferably made of hard wood, and a generally tubular stock or handle member 12. The body portion 12 generally cylindrical tube 14, preferably made of metal, which outer or forward end is provided with the usual ball-engaging tip 13.

The tubular handle member 12 includes a generally cylindrical tube 14, preferably made of metal, which has oneI end closed by plug 15 suitably iixed thereto. The plug 15 is provided with a central threaded aperture 16 for receiving a threaded bolt-like portion 17 securedto and extending from the ilat side of a semi-spherical rubber bumper 18. The purpose of the bumper 18 will be pointed out hereinafter. The tubular handle member 12 also includes a second plug 19 which is disposed within and spaced intermediate the ends of the tube 14. The plug 19 is lixedly secured to the tube 14 in a suitable manner and has a central cylindrical bore 20 extending longitudinally therethrough.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the end section 21 of the wooden body portion 11 opposite the ball-engaging tip 13 is slidably mounted within the open end of the tube 14. The end of the wooden body portion 11 disposed Within the tube 14 is provided `with a central recess 22 into which one end of an elongated rod 23 extends. The rod 23 is xedly secured to the body portion 11 by means of a transversely extending pin 24. The rod 23 extends longitudinally freely through the bore 20 of the plug 19 and end thereof opposite the secured end is provided with a threaded recess 25 for receiving the shank portion 26 of a cap screw 27. The cap screw 27 is employed for securing a disk 28 to the innermost end of the rod 23. A helically wound compression spring 29 has one end bearing against the disk 28 and its opposite end reacting against the end plug 15. From the foregoing, it will be' appreciated that the body portion 11 is yieldably urged longitudinally outwardly from the handle member 12.

The trigger or latch means 30 of the present invention includes a transversely movable, generally cylindrical latch element 31. The latch element 31 is incapable of moving longitudinally with respect to the handle member 12 since it is sandwiched `between the xed plug 19 and a plug 32 similar to plug 19, also iixedly secured to the interior of the tube 14. The plug 32 is provided with a bore 33 therethrough which is coaxial with the bore 20 19 for accommodating the rod 23 freely therethrough. The longitudinal spacing between the facing surfaces 34 and 35 of the plugs 19 and 32, respectively is slightly larger than the diameter of the latch element 31, and, consequently, the latch element 31 is free to slide transversely with respect to the tube 14 but is prevented from moving longitudinally with respect thereto. A finger button portion 36 projects outwardly transversely from the tube 14 through an opening 37 therethrough. The latch element 31 is provided with a generally circular shallow recess 38 which has a diameter greater than the diameter of the rod 23, as clearly illustrated in FIGURE 2. One end of a longitudinal bore 39 opens into the recess 38 and its opposite end extends to the plug surface 35. The diameter of the bore 39 is slightly larger than the diameter of the rod 23 but considerably smaller than the diameter of the recess 38 and, as'a result, a generally annular shoulder 40 is provided at the juncture of the recess 38 and the bore 39. The purpose of the shoulder 40 will be pointed out hereinafter. It will also be noted that the end of the latch element 31 opposite the linger button portion 36 is recessed to provide a pocket 41 for receiving and retaining one end of a helically wound compression spring 42 which also bears against the interior surface of the tube 14. It will be appreciated that the spring 42 biases the latch element 31 transversely outwardly. When assembled, the rod 23 extends through the coaxially aligned recess 38 and bore 39.

As clearly shown in FIGURES l and 2, the rod 23 is provided with three longitudinally spaced, reduced diameter sections 43, 44 and 45. It is to be understood that the rod 23 could be provided with a greater number of reduced diameter sections without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. One end of the reduced diameter section 43 is defined by a flat annular surface 46 and the opposite end by a tapered annular surface 47. In a similar manner the opposite ends oi the reduced diameter sections 44 and 4S are Idefined by flat annular surfaces 48, 49, respectively, and tapered annular surfaces 50, 51, respectively. It is to be noted that the reduced diameter sections 43, 44, 45 have the same length which is slightly larger than the length of the bore 39 formed in the latch element 31.

In use, the rubber bumper 18 is placed against the floor or other stationary object or structure and thereafter the body portion 19 is pressed into the handle 12 from the position shown in FIGURE 2. The rubber bumper 18 prevents slipping of the bottom end of the cue during the cocking or loading operation and reduced the possibility of scratching or otherwise marring the oor or other stationary surface used in the operation. Obviously such relative movement of the body portion 11 of the cue `10 rwith respect to the handle 12 effects compression of the coil spring 29. Relative movement of the handle y12 and Ibody portion 11 continues until the reduced diameter secrtion 43 is completely disposed within the bore 39 at which moment the latch element 31 moves transversely outwardly with a snap action by virtue of the spring 42. When the latch element 31 is in this position which corresponds to its locked position if pressure on the body portion 11 is relaxed, the relative position of the handle 12 and body portion 11 is maintained since a portion of the at annular surface 46 is in abutting engagement with a portion of the flat annular shoulder of the latch element 31. When in this condition the cue 10 is ready for actuation. By simply depressing the linger button portion 36 suciently to cause the portions of the flat annular shoulder 40 and the flat annular surface 46 to move out of engagement with each other, the rod 23 and the body portion 11 xedly attached thereto are impelled outwardly from the handle 12 by the resilient action of the compression spring 29. If i-t is desired to increase the magnitude of the force of the stroke it is only necessary to continue applying pressure to the cue body portion 11 after the reduced diameter section 43 is disposed Within the bore 39. Such continued pressure application and longitudinal movement of the rod 23 with respect to the handle 12 causes the latch element 31 to move transversely inwardly against the resilient action of the latch spring 42 since the tapered annular surface 46 which engages the latch element surface adjacent the bore 39 acts as a cam. Relative longitudinal movement of the body portion 11 and handle 12 and further compression of the spring 29 continues until the reduced diameter section 44 is disposed within the bore 39 and the latch element shoulder 40 is snapped into abutting engagement with the flat annular surface 48. The latch button portion 36 may be then depressed in the aforementioned manner to actuate the cue body portion 11. However, if a still greater magnitude of stroke is desired, additional pressure is applied to the body portion 11 when the reduced diameter section 44 is disposed in the bore 39 to eifect relative longitudinal movement of the rod 23 and handle 12 and simultaneously transverse movement of the latch element 31, the latter movement being effected by the camming action afforded by the tapered annular surface 50 on the latch element 31. When the reduced diameter section 45 is disposed in the bore 39 and the flat annular surface 49 is in abutting engagement with the annular shoulder 40, the cue 10 is conditioned to provide the maximum magnitude of stroke force. From the foregoing,

it will be appreciated that the magnitude of the stroke force may lbe accurately and uniformly regulated with a minimum of effort.

As pointed out hereinbefore, one of the important objects of the present invention is to incorporate shock absorber means in the cue 10 so at to mitigate the transfer of shocks and strains between the relatively movable parts and thus substantially reduce the possibility of breakage and malfunction of the parts. The shock absorber means which is designated generally by reference character S2, includes a helically wound compression spring S3 of considerably shorter length and weight than the compression spring 29 encircling the rod 23 and having one end bearing against the iixed plug 19. The opposite end of the spring 53 reacts against a rubber disk 54 which is slidably mounted within the tube 14. The rubber disk 54 is provided with a circular opening 55 therethrough for freely accommodating the rod 23, the diameter of the opening 55 being slightly larger than the diameter of the rod 23. The shock absorber means 52 of the present invention is preferably of the mechanical-pneumatic type wherein the shock force of the rod 23 and cue body portion 11 is absorbed by simultaneously compressing the spring 53 and a body of air contained within a chamber 56 partially defined by the rubber disk 54, plug 19 and the tube 14. The shock absorber means 52 cornes into action only during the extremely latter part of the power stroke of the cue body portion 11. When the cue 10 is cocked or spring-loaded, as shown in FIGURE l, and ready for use, the disk 28 is longitudinally spaced from the rubber disk 54. Thus, with the resilient action of the heavy spring 29 removed therefrom, the lighter spring 53 is permitted to expand to its fully expanded condition, as shown in FIGURE l, moving the rubber disk 54 longitudinally away from the fixed plug 19 during the process. A small aperture 57 is provided in the tube 14 to allow some of the air contained within the space 58 between the rubber disk 54 and the closed end of the tube 14 to exhaust so as not to hamper complete expansion of :the spring 53 and movement of the rubber disk 54. Once the rod 23 is unlocked by depression of the latch finger button portion 36, the disk 28 xed to the rod end is propelled toward the rubber disk 54 and until it engages the rubber disk 54, the air chamber 56 is in fluid communication with space 58 between the closed end of the tube 14 and the rubber disk 54, which, as stated hereinbefore, is in fluid communication with the atmosphere by virtue of the aperture 57. However, the instant the disk 28 engages the rubber disk 54, fluid communication between the air chamber 56 and the space 58 is precluded. Thereafter, the air in lthe chamber 56 can not escape therefrom by ilowing through the annular passage 59 pfovided between the rod 23 and the central opening 55 in the rubber disk 54 and can only be exhausted through the passageway 62 between the rod 23 and the bore 39 of the latch element 31. The velocity of the air owing from the air chamber 56 is controlled or metered by the area of the passageway 62. The enclosed space 60 between the plug 32 and the innermost end of the cue body portion 11, into which air flowing from the chamber 56 is exhausted, is in fluid communication with the atmosphere by means of an aperture 61. The aperture 61 eliminates the possibility of a vacuum being developed in the space 60 during the power stroke of the body portion 11 which could adversely iniluence the operation thereof. It will be appreciated :that the disk 28 is prevented from striking the xed plug 19 at the termination of the power stroke of the body portion 11, which if repeated for a short time would ultimately result in damage to various parts of the cue 10, by .the joint cushioning action afforded by the mechanical spring 53 and the air spring means described hereinbefore.

The embodiment of the invention chosen for the purposes of illustration and description herein is that preferred for achieving the objects of the invention and developing the utility thereof in the most desirable manner, due regard being had to existing factors of economy, simplicity of design and construction, and the improvements sought to be eiected. It will -be appreciated, therefore, that the particular structural and functional aspects emphasized herein are not intended to exclude, but rather to suggest, such other adaptations and modications of the invention as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as dened in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A cue comprising, a tubular handle having a closed end and an open end; an elongated body portion having an end section extending into said open end of said handle, said end section being supported for relative longitudinal sliding movement in said handle, said body portion being longitudinally slidable between an extended position and a plurality of longitudinaly spaced retracted positions; an elongated rod having one end iixed Ito the end of said body portion extending into said open end of said handle and extending coaxially and longitudinally in said handle, the closed end of said handle being provided with a generally circular disk; spring means disposed within said handle operatively engaging said handle and said body portion for yieldably urging said body portion toward its extended position the magnitude of the force exerted by said spring means on said body portion being diierent in each of said retracted positions of said body portion, said spring means including a helically wound compression spring having one end bearin-g against one side of said disk and its opposite end bearing against the closed end of said handle; manually releasable latch means operably engageable with said elongated body for selec-tively locking said body portion in each of said retracted positions; and shock absorber means operable near the end of the relative sliding movement of said handle and body portion as said body portion approaches its extended position from said retracted positions, said shock absorber means being effective -to progressively retard and stop relative sliding movement between said handle and body portion and dissipate the momentum of said body portion, said shock absorber means including a second helically wound compression spring and a pneumatic spring, said second compression and pneumatic springs acting in unison, said pneumatic spring including an air chamber having an air inlet opening, and means responsive to the position of said rod as said body portion moves from its retracted positions toward its extended position for closing said inlet opening, and means longitudinally spaced from said air inlet opening for simultaneously controlling the exhaust of air from said air chamber.

2. A cue at set forth in claim 1, wherein said pneumatic spring inclu-des a rubber disk mounted in said handle for relative longitudinal sliding movement and partially dening said air chamber, said rubber disk having its peripheral edge in seating engagement with the interior surface of said handle, said rubber disk having a central opening serving as said air inlet opening for said air chamber, said second compression spring being disposed within said air chamber an-d having one end xed with respect to said handle and its opposite end bearing against one side of said rubber disk, said rod extending loosely through said central opening in said rubber disk, and wherein said means responsive to the posi-tion of Said rod for closing said inlet includes a metal disk, said metal disk moving into abutting engagement with one side of said rubber disk to close said air inlet opening during movement of said body portion from its retracted positions toward its e'xtended position.

3. A cue as set forth in claim 2, wherein said means for simultaneously controlling the exhaust of air from said air chamber includes a restricted passageway for providing air communication between said air chamber and the atmosphere partially defined yby said rod.

4. A cue as set forth in claim 3, wherein said manually releasable latch means includes a latch element mounted in said handle having a bore therethrough for accommodating said rod therethrough, said latch element being longitudinally xed with respect to said handle, and said restricted passageway for controlling the exhaust of air from said air chamber being partially defined by said bore of said latch element.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,062,816 5/1913 Bur-Well 273-69 1,473,507 11/1923 Obermaier 124-38 X 2,719,716 10/ 1955 Sawtelle 124-38 X 3,246,895 4/1966` Traill 273-69 ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner. M. R. PAGE, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 124-38 

